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Former PCC Quarterback Great Rick Holoubek Dies

Forty years ago, quarterback Rick Holoubek led the Pasadena City College football team to a 12-1 record, the Metropolitan Conference championship, and the JC Grid-Wire regular season national title. Holoubek, who was named an All-American in 1972, passed away last week of complications from an extended bout with colon cancer. Holoubek died in Las Vegas, his home for the past eight years.

Holoubek was a local hero at Los Angeles Wilson High as he was named three straight years to the All-LA City team. A two-sport star in baseball and football, Holoubek turned down signing a professional contract with the Oakland A's, who drafted him in 1971. Holoubek had led Wilson to the LA City championship won at Dodger Stadium in 1969. Holoubek decided to attend and play both sports at PCC.

A natural athlete, Holoubek set then Lancers' passing records for yards, 2,452, and touchdown passes, 20, in the magical '72 season. His favorite target was wide receiver Jesse Roberts, also named All-American, who set then school records for most receptions and yards with 59 for 1,205. Holoubek was the first PCC quarterback to throw for at least 300 yards in a game and he remains third on the school's alltime passing list with 3,927 career yards. He played under Lancers head coach Bill Sandstrom.

At PCC, Holoubek also was an All-Metro Conference third baseman, who batted .360 and stole 34 bases. He played on the last PCC team to win a Metro Conference baseball title under coach Ron Robinson. Holoubek was chosen by Baltimore in the fifth round of the 1973 Amateur Draft out of PCC, but turned that offer down as well.

Holoubek went on to attend Cal State Los Angeles, and was named the Southern California Player of the Year at quarterback in 1974.

Rick's former football teammate at both PCC and CSULA is Tom Maher, the former PCC head football coach (1996-2004) and still an instructor at the college.

"Rick was a fun-loving guy to be around," Maher said. "He had a ton of talent and a great throwing arm."

In 1976-77, Holoubek played minor league baseball for the Class A Victoria (Texas) Cowboys and then Single A Texas City franchise.